Since my last posting on Real Time Services, I have been thinking about the Internet being at an inflection point, specifically, the impact to sustainable architecture development due to content distribution that is relevant for consumers. Recall, from the April blog post that characterizing “real time” could be in the form of video, telepresence, voice, on-line games as examples, where mitigating latency is a must e.g. between clients-servers; agreement on what the optimal communications protocol should be and so on in order to deliver these services as expected by the consumer.

No doubt that managing the user experience is pivotal for customer retention.

As we shift the discussion to cloud computing, what are the implications to “cloud management,” to SLA management and so on? Let’s not forget the implications to security.

Hi again! Following last week’s post I thought it was worth a quick update. We actively follow cloud commentators on the web/twitter/social net and were pleased to see Cisco being mentioned in the cloud computing space.

TechTarget published its list of Top Cloud Computing Leaders last week – and Cisco’s own Chris Hoff was mentioned in this list along with the likes of Larry Ellison, Marc Benioff, Vivek Kundra and others. Chris is focused on our cloud strategy, works on the CloudAudit project and also writes on his blog and tweets prolifically on cloud computing related issues.

The list also mentions AT&T’s Joe Weinman. Joe is also a prolific blogger and has done much to demonstrate how cloud computing creates value on his Cloudonomics blog.

As multichannel video providers beeline toward an IP-based service infrastructure, they seek capacity, efficiency and QoE, notes John Chapman, Cisco Fellow and Chief Architect, who was interviewed on the floor of The Cable Show, in Los Angeles.

If you’re thinking about how multichannel video shifts to IP transport, from MPEG transport, you’re probably already well-versed in the language of DOCSIS 3.0, and its channel bonding features.

Likewise, by converging video services into one, IP-based pipe, cable operators save in operational and capital expense. And, over time, as more MPEG-based video streams shift into the IP domain, their bandwidth can be recovered and applied to other applications.

Today at the Cable Show, Cisco launched What If Your TV Could…?, a video contest asking consumers to submit creative ideas about what they wish their TV could do. For an opportunity to win USD$10,000, participants will enter a short video explaining what future capabilities they would like to see on their TV.

Consumers are encouraged to submit video responses to the question, “If your TV could do anything, what would YOU want it to do?” on Cisco’s contest website at www.ciscocontest.com.

Videos must be less than three minutes in length. The public will have the opportunity to rate, comment and choose their favorite videos. Winners will be based on the number of views, average rating and creativity as determined by a panel of judges from Cisco.

The best video will win the grand prize of USD$10,000. The three top-viewed videos will receive a USD$500 gift card to Amazon.com. Submissions will be posted on the contest website for the public to view.

When it comes to “the four any’s” (anything, anytime, anywhere, any device) it’s the latter two (“anywhere” and “any device”) that are tricky. Especially if the majority of your network is wired.

The train corridor along the East coast of the United States is a good example: Up until very recently, commuters who wanted a mobile broadband signal did so by purchasing a special dongle from their cellular carrier, and paying a monthly service fee.

That all changed on April 15, when Cablevision, Comcast and Time Warner Cable announced free Wi-Fi access to existing broadband subscribers when they’re in the New York metropolitan area. The idea: Turn on the laptop or Wi-Fi-equipped screen. Select from three SSIDs, one for each operator, which appear as hotspot connect options. Pick your service provider, login – free mobile broadband.

In the background, here’s what happens to make all that cross-MSO roaming work: Outdoor cable modems plug into the MSOs’ fiber optic facilities. Power for the modem comes from the cable network; control mechanisms include subscriber authentication, provisioning, security, and management.

Another consideration in extended-reach Wi-Fi installations: How to deal with unwanted interference within the unlicensed spectral boundaries of the Wi-Fi signal. This interference can come from such mundane items as microwave ovens, garage door openers, and cordless phones, and can have an impact on the quality of the signal users receive on their Wi-Fi networks.

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